repay the difference

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "repay the difference" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where someone is required to return or compensate for a discrepancy in amounts, often in financial transactions. Example: "If the final bill is lower than the initial estimate, we will gladly repay the difference to you."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

If, after adjudication, the final bill is for less than the payout, they will simply have to repay the difference.

The New York Times

The public employers that borrow from the pension system essentially contribute less than they owe in a given year, and agree to repay the difference, with interest, over a decade.

The New York Times

You may be required to repay the difference between the full-time aid amount and the adjusted amount.

Duke University

The properties were formally valued at the beginning and the end of the period, and the MPs were given until 31 November 2012 to repay the difference.

BBC

You may be able to get a guarantee that if you paid more taxes than you should have the tax firm will repay the difference.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

When higher-priced tickets are exchanged for lower-priced ones, agencies must repay the airlines the difference - and take a lower commission as well.

The New York Times

In other words, if a creditor who would have got 60 cents on the dollar in bankruptcy instead gets 100 cents, he may have to repay the 40-cent difference.The change has vastly improved the chances that the bill will become law.

The Economist

Mr. Alphin said since the government figure is less than the $45 billion provided to Bank of America, the bank will now start looking at ways of repaying the $11 billion difference over time to the government.

The New York Times

With the proceeds, she intends to repay the loan and pocket the difference.

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

How you repay the loan is another important difference between federal and private loans.

Forbes

The fundamental differences are (a) ability to repay, and (b) ability to withstand negative shocks.

Columbia University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the context. "Repay the difference" is suitable for financial transactions or situations where a specific amount needs to be returned due to an error or change.

Common error

Avoid using "repay the difference" without specifying the context or amounts involved. This can lead to confusion and misunderstandings. Always provide enough information so that the reader understands what difference is being repaid.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "repay the difference" functions as a directive or statement indicating the action of returning a specific amount of money to correct an imbalance or discrepancy. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is considered correct and suitable for various contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "repay the difference" is a grammatically sound expression used to describe the act of returning an amount to correct a financial discrepancy. As affirmed by Ludwig AI, it is considered correct and suitable for various contexts. While relatively rare in frequency, it appears across different sources, including News & Media, Academia, and Wiki, reflecting its utility in various communication styles. When employing this phrase, clarity regarding the amounts involved is crucial to avoid misunderstandings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

refund the discrepancy

Focuses on the act of returning money due to an inconsistency or error in the amount.

compensate for the variation

Highlights the act of making up for a deviation or disparity.

reimburse the balance

Emphasizes the return of money to restore a financial equilibrium.

return the outstanding sum

Focuses on giving back the remaining amount that is owed.

settle the differential

Implies resolving a financial imbalance or gap.

rectify the imbalance

Highlights correcting a situation where amounts are not equal.

make good the shortfall

Focuses on providing what is lacking to reach a required amount.

clear the arrears

Emphasizes paying off overdue amounts to eliminate debt.

offset the disparity

Highlights counterbalancing an inequality in financial amounts.

adjust the payment

Implies altering the payment amount to reflect the correct balance.

FAQs

How can I use "repay the difference" in a sentence?

You can use "repay the difference" in sentences like: "If the final bill is less than the initial estimate, we will "repay the difference"." or "The company agreed to "repay the difference" after the audit revealed an overcharge."

What is a formal alternative to "repay the difference"?

In formal contexts, consider using phrases like "reimburse the balance", "compensate for the variation", or "return the outstanding sum" as alternatives to ""repay the difference"".

When should I use "repay the difference" instead of "pay the difference"?

"Repay the difference" is used when someone is returning money, implying that an initial payment was already made or that there was a prior agreement. "Pay the difference" is used when completing a payment where an outstanding balance remains. The terms are not interchangeable since "pay the difference" has no notion of a previous payment or an error.

Is "repay the difference" grammatically correct?

Yes, ""repay the difference"" is grammatically correct and commonly used in contexts where someone is required to return or compensate for a discrepancy in amounts, often in financial transactions.